The road to solving the Gribov problem of the center vortex model in quantum chromo dynamics

Abstract

The center vortex model of the QCD vacuum is very successful in explaining the non-perturbative properties of QCD, especially confinement, chiral symmetry breaking and the topological charge of vacuum configurations. On the other hand, the center vortex model still suffers from a Gribov problem: Direct maximal center gauge and center projection can lead to an underestimation of the string tension in smooth configurations or after persistent simulated annealing. We discuss methods to identify center regions, whose boundaries evaluate to center elements, and want to improve the vortex detection: these regions might help to recognize vortices in configurations where maximal center gauge lost the vortex finding property.